Enantiomerically pure (R)-2-methyldecanoic acid and (S)-2-methyl-1-decanol were prepared in a multi gram scale by esterification reactions catalysed by lipase from Candida rugosa. The enantiomeric ratios (E-values) were determined as a function of the chain length of the alcohol used as the complementary substrate in cyclohexane. In the resolution of 2-methyldecanoic acid the highest value (E = 37 Â± 5) was obtained, when either 2-hexanol, 1-heptanol or 1-octanol were used. In contrast, when resolving 2-methyloctanoic acid, the E-values increased continually with increasing chain length of the alcohol used. 1-Hexadecanol gave the highest value: E &gt; 100. The E-values were determined from the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the product at a conversion below 0.4. After two consecutive esterification reactions enantiomerically pure (R)-2-methyldecanoic acid, &gt;99.8% ee, and after subsequent reduction of the ester produced, (S)-2-methyl-1-decanol, 96.7% ee, were obtained.

The four stereoisomeric 3-bromo-2-butanols and/or their acetates were prepared via lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution by hydrolyses of the acetates of the (+/-)-syn- and (+/-)-anti-3-bromo-2-butanols, or via esterifications of the alc hols. The diastereomeric bromoacetates were obtained by syntheses from the dl- and meso-2,3-butanediols, respectively. On a preparative scale, the four stereoisomers, either as the free alcohols or as their acetates, were obtained in &gt; 95% ee, and in 35-40% yield (based on the starting racemates).